The Macquarie Group Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Macquarie Group ("Macquarie") (ASX: MQG; ADR: MQBKY), today announced that it has selected Thomas Kamber, Ph.D., founder and executive director of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), as the U.S. winner of its 2016 David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship. "On behalf of the Macquarie Group Foundation and our judging panel in New York, we are delighted to congratulate Fellowship winner Tom Kamber of OATS, for his tireless commitment to social entrepreneurship and technology adoption for senior citizens," said Michael McLaughlin, U.S. Country Head for Macquarie. "Tom has been instrumental in shaping technology policy and delivering innovative programming to address the technology gap with older adults. We are proud to support OATS' innovative online learning platform and its plan to expand and improve upon the platform." Founded in 2004, OATS is the country's leading nonprofit in designing and delivering technology programs that improve the lives of older Americans. The organization operates 25 free technology centers for senior citizens in New York State, including two flagship Senior Planet Exploration Centers, the nation's first technology-themed community centers for older adults. OATS has taught over 30,000 free classes with a rigorous, multilingual curriculum available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. OATS also sponsors SeniorPlanet.org, a content-rich website that celebrates "aging with attitude" and is visited by over a million unique individuals each year. "The field of aging and technology is exploding with new ideas right now, and comparative studies can help us draw from the world's best ideas as we build effective local programs and systems," said Dr. Kamber. "I am deeply honored to be selected for the David Clarke Fellowship, which will enable me to visit successful programs in other countries that can inform our work in the United States. Macquarie is one of the world's most innovative companies, so it's fitting that they are providing great leadership in the social innovation space as well."
In addition to direct service to seniors, the nonprofit also provides consulting services to corporations and government agencies. Executive director Dr. Kamber, serves on the aging working group of the President's Council of Advisors in Science and Technology, as well as numerous local and state commissions on technology and aging. His focus, with the help of the fellowship grant, will be to help improve and expand upon existing learning models in the OATS program, by embarking on an international tour to study innovative practices, engage in research, and create articles, staff training, and capacity building resources to disseminate his learning.
Four David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowships are presented biennially and are open to entrants in the U.S., U.K., Australia and Hong Kong. The Macquarie Group Foundation established the Fellowship in 2012 as a tribute to its former chairman, the late David Clarke, who was one of the pioneers of corporate philanthropy in Australia. The Macquarie David Clarke Social Innovation Fellowship builds on Macquarie Group Foundation's long-standing commitment to social innovation. About the Macquarie Group Foundation As the philanthropic arm of Macquarie Group, the Foundation helps to strengthen the communities Macquarie staff live and work in by facilitating thousands of hours of staff volunteering and pro bono programs each year with community organizations around the world. Macquarie employees and the Foundation have also given generously, resulting in more than $205 million donated to over 2,500 organizations globally since 1985. Our pioneering approach to philanthropy has funded a range of novel approaches to community issues, including cutting-edge research, establishing awards and fellowships to encourage innovative thinking, seed funding organizations with new ideas, as well as collaborations between non-profits with shared objectives. About David Clarke Macquarie Group Foundation's founding Chairman, David Clarke left a substantial philanthropic legacy. He had major personal involvement with a range of community organizations and was a key figure in the transfer of business skills to the non-profit sector and driving initiatives to improve the sector's sustainability.One of David's greatest contributions to the sector was the model of 'engaged philanthropy'. This innovative idea enabled community organizations to harness a company's expertise, strategic advice, networks and staff resources, as well as its financial support.